Lighting system for light guides
US6254264A · kind A · utility
3Cited by
4References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/0001
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method is disclosed which stabilizes the light incident a light guide end over a guaranteed operating lifetime of a lamp used to illuminate the light guide end. The apparatus and method minimize variation in illumination incident a light guide end without, for example, controlling the electrical input to the lamp. The invention is especially effective for light guides having a narrow outer diameter, and compensates not only for movement of a region of maximum luminosity, as occurs in lamps where the cathode is partially consumed during operation of the lamp, but also for the lamp luminosity decreasing with age.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.